Modular chair construction and method of assembly

• US 5,979,988 A
• Filed: 12/31/1998
• Issued: 11/09/1999
• Est. Priority Date: 02/17/1995
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Steelcase Development Inc.
• Original Assignee: Steelcase Development Inc.
• Inventors: Haan, Michael W., Heidmann, Kurt R., Knoblock, Glenn A., Scheper, Robert M., Root, Brian H., McClure, Eric T., Steffens, James P., Palacios, Noe, Sayers, David D., VanStee, Greg A., Christensen, Brian L., Schwoerer, Patrick P.
• Primary Examiner(s): Nelson, Jr., Milton
• Application Number:
  US09/224,675
• Time in Patent Office: 313 Days
• Field of Search: 297/440.1, 297/440.14, 297/440.15, 297/440.2, 297/440.22, 297/411.23, 297/411.26, 297/411.27, 297/411.24, 297/463.1, 297/463.2, 29/428, 29/469
• US Class Current: 297/440.14
• CPC Class Codes: A47C 1/023 the parts being horizontally-adjustable seats ; Expandable seats or the like, e.g. seats with horizontally adjustable parts
• CPC Class Codes: A47C 1/03238 by means of peg-and-notch or pawl-and-ratchet mechanism
• CPC Class Codes: A47C 1/03255 with a central column, e.g. rocking office chairs
• CPC Class Codes: A47C 1/03266 with adjustable elasticity
• CPC Class Codes: A47C 1/03272 with coil springs
• CPC Class Codes: A47C 1/03274 of torsion type
• CPC Class Codes: A47C 13/005 Modular seating chairs connectible into a row A47C1/124
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49826 Assembling or joining

Abstract

A chair construction and method for building a chair having selected features are provided. The construction includes a plurality of interchangeable different components including different base assemblies, back assemblies, seats, arms, and chair controls that can be selected to provide different features on a "customized" chair. The different chair controls are constructed from a selected one of a plurality of interchangeable energy modules and a selected one of a plurality of interchangeable seat support modules. All components include standardized connections for engaging the related components, and further include various mechanisms and designs so that by selecting particular components, a chair having various features and appearances can be provided. For example, the plurality of interchangeable seat support modules includes a non-adjustable seat support module, a seat-angle-adjustable seat support module, and a seat-depth-adjustable seat support module. Also, the plurality of interchangeable chair control modules include a non-lockable energy module, a back lockable energy module, and a multi-position backstop energy module, each connectable to a selected one of the aforementioned seat support modules. The modularity of these components facilitates assembly including on-site assembly, repair, and post-assembly upgrading of the chair. Further, the seat support is connected by removable pivot pins to allow assembly, retrofit and/or modification in the field. The tension adjustment mechanism, the seat height actuator mechanism, and the pivot connections are constructed for durability, performance, assembleability, compactness of design, and to minimize the number of and complexity of parts. The method includes selecting modules from a menu of interconnectable/interchangeable modules to construct a chair control, and further selecting modules from a menu of interchangeable components to construct a chair having selected features.

Claims

1. A method of constructing a chair control comprising steps of:

providing an energy module including a fixed housing, a back upright support bracket rotatably connected to said fixed housing, and an energy source, said back upright support bracket being movable between a fully upright position and a fully reclined position with said energy source biasing said back upright support bracket toward said fully upright position;

providing interchangeable seat support modules each configured for pivotal attachment to said fixed housing and said back upright support bracket at common connection points, said interchangeable seat support modules including a first seat support module having a non-adjustable seat support bracket configured to rotatably connect to said back upright support bracket, and further including a second seat support module having a synchrotilt bracket configured to rotatably connect to said back upright support bracket, and further having an adjustable seat support bracket connected to said synchrotilt bracket, said adjustable seat support bracket being movably adjustably supported on said synchrotilt bracket for varying the position of said adjustable seat support bracket relative to said synchrotilt bracket;

selecting one of said interchangeable seat support modules; and

assembling said one interchangeable seat support module to said energy module, whereby different style chair controls with different functions can be made from common parts.

2. A method as defined in claim 1 wherein said step of providing interchangeable seat support modules includes providing a third seat support module, said third seat support module having a seat-depth-adjustment mechanism thereon and said second seat support having a seat-angle-adjustment mechanism thereon.

3. A method as defined in claim 1 including providing a second energy module interchangeable with said first energy module, said second energy module having a back stop mechanism thereon, said first energy module being non-lockable, and wherein said steps of selecting and assembling include selecting one of said first and second energy modules and assembling said one interchangeable seat support module to said selected energy module.

4. A method as defined in claim 1 including providing removable pivot pins for interconnecting a selected one of said interchangeable seat support modules to said energy module, and wherein said step of assembling includes engaging said pivot pins with said one interchangeable seat support module and said energy module.

5. A method for building a chair having selected features, comprising steps of:

providing a base assembly, a back, a seat, and a chair control, said chair control including a first connection for securely engaging said base assembly, a second connection for operably engaging and supporting said back and further including a third connection;

providing a plurality of different seat supports each including a standardized connection configured to mateably engage said third connection and further including standardized structure for supporting said seat, said plurality of different seat supports each having customized adjustment mechanisms for providing different seat adjustment features;

selecting one of said plurality of different seat supports; and

assembling said base assembly, said back, said seat, said chair control and said selected one seat support, whereby different style chairs having different functions can be made from common parts.

6. A method as defined in claim 5 including providing a plurality of different back assemblies, and selecting one of said plurality of different back assemblies for assembly.

7. A method as defined in claim 5 including providing a plurality of different seats, and selecting one of said plurality of different seats for assembly.

8. A method as defined in claim 5 including providing a plurality of different bases, and selecting one of said plurality of different bases for assembly.

9. A method as defined in claim 8 including providing a plurality of different arms, and selecting a pair of said plurality of different arms for assembly and further assembling said arms to said assembly of said base assembly, said back, said seat, said chair control and said selected one seat support.

10. A method comprising steps of:

providing a synchrotilt chair control including a fixed housing, a back upright support bracket rotationally connected to said fixed housing, a seat support, and removable pivot pins pivotally securing said seat support to said back upright support bracket;

removing said pivot pins;

replacing said first seat support with a second seat support; and

reinstalling said pivot pins, whereby the synchrotilt chair control can be readily repaired or upgraded.

11. A method as defined in claim 10 wherein said second seat support includes different features than said first seat support, and including selecting said second seat support from a plurality of different seat supports having different features to obtain selected features.

12. A method as defined in claim 10 wherein said pivot pins each include one of a channel and a ridge for frictionally engaging said back upright support bracket, and wherein said step of reinstalling includes engaging said channels and said ridges to prevent accidental disengagement of said pivot pins.